Sunday, 31 October 2010

So November arrives with cold weather and grey skies. Arsenal sit in 2nd place with a great chance to make progress in the Carling Cup with a home draw against wigan Athletic. Poised to winour Champions league group and with six months of the season left have 3 of our five tougher away fixtures out of the way, having taken a respectable 4 from 9. I say respectable as, the Man City away trip aside the draw at Anfield on the occasion of Hodgson’s first game was a good result and the Chelsea game I don’t think anyone can really speak of any injustice. That leaves away games at Old Trafford and Sp*rs (who as we know raise their game for this fixture).

With injured players gradually returning and the Polish goalkeepers showing signs of optimism, we’re in relatively good shape.

Or so you’d think. Yesterday at the Emirates West Ham were put to the sword late on after some stout defending, a good performance from Robert Green and a couple of missed opportunities. The level of indignation, vitriol and just general impatience shown by a number of my fellow supporters was down right embarrassing. Let's get some perspective here; it's been a number of years since we were able to blow teams away by half time. Some teams have always, and continue to, come to Arsenal with the express purpose of not losing. When this is the case a degree of patience has to be shown. If Arsenal are playing okay and creating chances a breakthrough is a realistic outcome (as proven yesterday) all the moaning and haranguing doesn't make a blind bit of difference. At the moment Arsenal are just in the business of keeping touch with the leaders which we are doing. After 2 months of the season I would think that anyone who is not relatively happy is a curmudgeon, and an unrealistic one at that.

Friday, 29 October 2010

West Ham United, the club that put the 'gate' into Lasagna-gate come visiting this weekend. Here's a list of players that have been both Gunners and Hammers. Quite a few illustrious names among them;

·Dick Burgess

·Stan Earle

·Jimmy Marshall

·Archie Macaulay

·Jimmy Bloomfield

·Jim Standen

·Bobby Gould

·John Radford

·Liam Brady

·Steve Walford

·Lee Champman

·Stewart Robson

·John Hartson

·Ian Wright

·Nigel Winterburn

·Kaba Diawarra

·Davor Suker

·Freddie Ljungberg

Most recently Freddie Ljungberg, and it was on a night against West Ham in the mighty 2001/2002 season that the Clock End initiated the ‘we love you Freddie’ song.

"We love you Freddie, because you've got red hair, we love you Freddie because you're everywhere, we love you Freddie, you're Arsenal through and through"

Freddie played a great part in Arsenal's success from his debut goal against Man Utd to his run of goals that helped secure the double. His FA cup goal that shut up Chelsea and his 'V' flicking at White Hart Lane. He was also the first player to score in an FA Cup final outside England and the first player to score in 2 consecutive FA cup finals. One of the invincibles and a member of Arsenal's last trophy winning side and European Champions League finalist with Arsenal. Fred was a character alright and a winner.

Tuesday, 26 October 2010

In this time of public service cuts, Fire Service strikes and post credit crunch austerity Wayne Rooney has shown his lack of regard for the common man.

Distasteful shenanigans to give himself a major pay increase. A holiday in Dubai at the seven star Burj Al Arab resort, where he has been indulging in Chicken Nuggets chips and beer. This alongside his use of Prostitutes and smoking makes him look like someone completely out of touch with the public and the public’s perceptions. I honestly expect to see him soon lighting a fat cigar with a twenty pound note whilst tucking into a happy meal.

The working class kid from the street kicking a ball on the street corner routine doesn’t work anymore. Rooney is just a primer example of the modern English footballer; Out of touch and brimming with arrogance. Hardly surprising that there was not one English player nominated for the Ballon d’Or.

I hope the in debt Man Utd money men is happy to be paying so much money to a player of dubious character, who clearly doesn’t look after himself and who is not rated as one of the worlds best.

The thing is that he generates income for the old Trafford club as he is a role model to many akin to the self proclaimed Lotto Lout Michael Carroll; and we all know what happened to him.

Sunday, 24 October 2010

Prior to the game the so called experts on Sky were talking about how Tevez is on fire and the Eastlands revolution. Arsenal were going to bottle it against a ‘top’ side. By the end of the game Andy Gray was saying that the 0-3 score line didn’t do justice to Citeh. Bollocks! Arsenal went up there and scored 3 despite Citeh’s best efforts to get one of our players sent off after the completely justified decision to red card one of their players. Arsenal also took liberties with the light blues for the last twenty minutes making them look like the away team. The millionaires ran out of gas while we passed the ball around them. Adebayor did little but jog around looking like a lanky rag doll and we weren’t bullied in midfield.

The multi million squad and financially manipulated ‘big team’ of Manchester City were beaten by an Arsenal team missing Vermaelen, Ramsey and Van Persie, and well beaten at that. Fabianski did his job between the sticks which is all that is wanted from Arsenal’s goalkeeper at the moment and had Cesc not telegraphed his penalty a 4 goal haul would have come back down the motorway with us. Saying that Cesc ran the show.

the imperious Cesc's blip

A big win putting us back in second place and the prospect of seeing a strong team take us to within touching distance of Wembley on Wednesday night.

All in all a good result, a good performance and some light at the end of the tunnel.

Friday, 22 October 2010

When the news of Paul Gascoine's arrest filters through, his modern equivalent Wayne Rooney does a U Turn on his desire to move from Man Utd. The similarities are evident between the two, although Gascoine was a far better player than Rooney.
The reasons given for Rooney signing a five year contract are being given as some sort of reflection on the so called romance and history of the club, assurances being made and obviously a wages increase.There's also an inference of Machiavellian shenanigans from Ferguson

But I have another theory. Wanting to leave Man Utd meant that realistically the options were; Going to Italy or Spain or moving to Manchester City or Chelsea.The facts, I believe, are that he wasn't wanted!
The latter choices were based on the only two domestic sides who could afford him. The foreign option would have meant Rooney learning another language and living a different lifestyle.
He didn't turn up at the World Cup, he hasn't scored from open play since March and his private life is problematic. He also lacks the intellect required for a successful move abroad; therefore he wasn't wanted or needed by Europe's top clubs.
Manchester City and Chelsea at the moment don't need him. They have time to see if Rooney hasn't peaked and should they require him in a year they will simply make United an offer they can't refuse.
Believing that the club you play for lacks ambition is not a problem and why Torres and Fabregas haven't spoken out says a lot about the continental players mindset.

Going back to the Gascoine analogy, Rooney is not the kid from the street that he is portrayed he is a morally deficient basic minded bloke from Liverpool. Even asw an Arsenal fan I can honestly say that where he differs from Gascoine is that Paul turned up at Italia 90 and Euro 96, went to Italy and performed and had a likability factor. To me Rooney, gifted though he is, is someone that is an amalgam of a lot of things that are wrong with the modern footballer his greed and arrogance are undisguised.

Monday, 18 October 2010

Tony Pulis the Stoke City manager is at it again; having a pop at Arsene: “Wenger is perceived to be a genius but he hasn’t delivered a trophy in six years,“I have exciting and skilful players like Etherington, Fuller and Tuncay and I am sure they wouldn’t have joined us if we were as bad as Wenger makes out.“But his comments are aimed at seeking an advantage with refs.“I’ve got nothing against foreign managers, they are very nice people, Apart from Arsene Wenger
Now I may from time to time be critical of AW but I will not have managers of other Clubs having a go at Arsene.
In Wenger’s 14 years at Arsenal he has won seven trophies and been runner up on nine occasions. This second statistic is telling and reflects Wenger’s shortcomings at the moment of truth, but what the facts point to is consistency over a decade and a half; Something Pulis is nowhere near approaching. His major achievement? Guiding StokeCity to the Premier League in the 2007–08 season by finishing runners-up. Hurrah! Unsurprisingly his managerial mentor was Harry Redknapp.
Nothing against foreign managers? No reason why he should have and what’s the relevance of nationality? Little Englander mindset at its most obvious. Seeking advantages with Refs? Surely every manager does this? Etherington, Fuller and Tuncay joining StokeCity? Let’s be honest they wouldn’t exactly be on most top mangers waiting list.And as for saying Arsene is not a nice person; School boy stuff! Like Sam Allardyce Pulis has shown himself to be an underdeveloped character with a delusional sense of self. Most of all he comes across like a disgruntled petulant little schoolboy who needs six of the best. Yah boo sucks to you!

Tuesday, 12 October 2010

“Arsenal’s Premier League home game against Birmingham City on Saturday 16 October will focus on the Club’s Arsenal for Everyone initiative, an ongoing scheme which embraces the diversity and equality of the Club and its fan base.

Arsenal has invited a number of representatives of its diverse fan base to welcome players on to the pitch at the game and line up with an impressive display of 17 flags representing the countries of the Arsenal squad.

The Club launched the Arsenal for everyone initiative three years ago(2006) in a bid to move from an anti-racism message to a celebration of the diversity of the Arsenal family”-arsenal.com

16th December 2006

“Arsenal as a club prides itself on being inclusive with respect to all nationalities, cultural and ethnic groups, we are asking that only Arsenal flags, without any national emblems, are displayed within the stadium." –Arsenal Club statement

Friday, 8 October 2010

During this interminable Interlull I have decided to put together a list of my favourite Arsenalish goals. Not my assessment of best, or most important just favourites for a variety of reasons. A very difficult task as there are tons of great Arsenal goals to consider. I thought I would restrict it to only one goal per player (but i had to make an exception in Dennis' case)

Anywhere here they are;

let's have your comments and votes on your own lists!-click on 'comments' below post and fire away

Thursday, 7 October 2010

…………………………………..the dreaded......................................................................................... Interlull……………………………………………………………………………………………………not much going on……………………………………………………………………………..Liverpool are going all American again………….................................................................................................................................………………England are calling up that cumbersome oaf Kevin Davies……………………………………….Steve McClaren................................................ redeemed?......................................................................The usual rubbish is coming out of pundits mouths about ………….............................................................................................................................................Oh I can’t .................................................be .........................................................................bothered................................................................................................................ ...................................................................Roll on Saturday 16th. I HATE THE INTERLULL!!!

Sunday, 3 October 2010

And so it came to pass, Arsenal lost AGAIN to Chelsea. The wheel has turned full circle; Arsenal dominated Chelsea for a decade, now the objectionable flash Harrys have the upper hand.
No we weren't battered, as we have been, by the nouveau riche ruffians but there was an air of inevitability about the game in that the longer it went on it looked that for all our possession (something we excel in) there was no real goal threat.
I hate Chelsea with a passion but they are defensively the best side in the country and without the ability to make your chances count you are going to struggle.The real problem is that the current Arsenal side fall short at the biggest hurdles and this is a concern for the longevity of aspiration to be a top club.
Injuries, refereeing etc don't hide the fact that we couldn't climb over Chelsea's brick wall yet again.
The fact that Chelsea have been bankrolled to an unprecedented degree is relevant but should not be an excuse for not taking them on both physically and mentally.
I not only hate Chelsea for the despicable set of players under contract, but for the arrogance of their supporter; having watched the game in a local hostelry (North London) I had to listen to a loud mouthed tit, probably by the name of Toby mouthing off. This character had probably never been to Stamford Bridge and between mouth fulls of Magners was loudly talking shit! (Let's be fair about this , Chelsea have proper 'been there seen it' fans like most other clubs, and they tend to be respectful as we all are.)
He is a typical Chelsea supporter in terms of his ignorance, lack of grace and failure to understand the etiquette of watching football in a pub in North London.
No he did not get his head kicked in, but it was a close call. The modern Chelsea fan is brash and dismissive of other Clubs identity and history. That's why their success will never win them the hearts and minds of the neutral or fans of other clubs. however good will and respect of principles is Arsenal's only claim to fame at the moment. Today was by no means a watershed moment, it was just hugely frustrating to lose yet again to a club who have nothing like the class and history that we have but keep getting the upper hand.

Friday, 1 October 2010

Going into Sundays clash at Fulham Road shopping Centre I view it as a game that we are capable of winning, but might not. Capable of drawing and may do, but also capable of losing narrowly and capable of being taken to the cleaners. All four results will have different implications.

A win would be an opportunity taken to draw closer to the champions. A draw will show that we can go away to a ground (where we were once unbeatable) and come away with a solid result. But a loss has wider implications; if we lose in a closely contested game this early in the season away to Chelsea in can be absorbed. If we get bashed up by them it will again reiterate our decline as a major force.

Going back to the ‘unbeatable’ bit; it seems that not so long ago we never lost to Chelsea. It was ages and ages of results against. Now we find ourselves as sporadic winners against them. Sunday is by no means season defining but oh, the joy if we had another Winterburn screamer moment, a Kanu tricky hat trick treat or Nasri delivering an RVP double Dutch day.

Maybe Gibbs will be selected and see it as a chance to draw direct comparison with Cashley Hole. Perhaps Arshavin will view the game like the trip to Anfield where he showed what he is capable. Could it be Chamakh will go out to show that he can out ‘centre forward’ Drogba, or will, most improbably, our keeper (probably) Fabianski look to make amends for the FA cup Semi Final and practically every game he’s played in.

I’m bored of Chelsea’s arrogance, their fan’s bluster and the media love in. Most of all I’m bored of losing to the most unpleasant team in the country. I actually quite fancy us on Sunday. Let’s hope that we get the right result.

Views, opinions and that...

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